- 5 months ago
A technical snag left a monorail stranded between Chembur and Bhakti Park in Mumbai amidst heavy rainfall, trapping hundreds of passengers for several hours.
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00:00Good evening. The big story on India. First, is there a reset in India-China ties? Can India trust China?
00:08Now, what is it that the Chinese Foreign Minister and Politburo member Wang Yi is saying?
00:12He says the setbacks we, that is India and China, experienced in the past few years
00:18were not in the interest of the people of the two countries.
00:21And these were his opening remarks at his meeting with the National Security Advisor.
00:27He's just called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
00:30He's invited the Prime Minister to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's annual summit in Tianjin.
00:38That big reset button.
00:41Can India trust China at a time that you have more than 50,000 troops who are amassed at the borders?
00:47Not eyeball to eyeball right now, but clearly there is a massive trust deficit,
00:51not just because of the tensions at the LAC,
00:53but also remember what the Deputy Chief of Army Staff had recently said,
00:58that when India was targeting Pakistan's state-sponsored radical Islamist terror during Operation Sindhur
01:03and Pakistan Army responded,
01:05the Chinese and the Turkish equipment was also used
01:10and Chinese satellites were helping Pakistan.
01:13There's breaking news coming in.
01:14I'll get you the story, but before that, there's breaking news coming in
01:18and I want to take you quickly to Mumbai for this big breaking story.
01:22A monorail is stuck in Mumbai's eastern suburban area
01:27due to a technical snag after massive rainfall.
01:31And I want to play out those images.
01:32A monorail is stuck.
01:35Passengers are stuck inside this monorail.
01:38For a moment, I just want to go full frame to these images.
01:41These are very, very powerful images that are coming in from Mumbai
01:44where passengers are stuck inside the monorail.
01:49Watch these images.
01:51So you have fire brigade personnel.
01:54They've put a massive forklift
01:57and people are being pulled out of that monorail.
02:02Look at the way people are cramped inside.
02:06Okay, we are getting a reaction.
02:08We're getting a reaction.
02:09Let's cut across to Mumbai.
02:09We're getting a reaction.
02:39A drill isn't true.
02:42We're getting to it from public.
02:44The direct line if we hit it, we're getting to it from the public.
02:46Monorail, Tuesday morning,
02:46or the direct line to our direct line to our direct line.
02:48It's okay, but if a fire brigade concluser comes in the engine,
02:52what do we want to do?
02:53Let's tell them.
02:54A Mercedes and the Fiat mode is coming to die.
02:59Today, if a fire brigadefürst goes off,
03:00what do we want to do?
03:02What do we want to do in the public?
03:02What do we need to protect or protect our public?
03:03No, we do not protect our public.
03:04All will exterminate.
03:04All the dogs are killed.
03:05I have to review it.
03:10It is necessary to clean the system.
03:13There are no other places.
03:15The people who have been damaged by the people in the area.
03:18It is not a small area.
03:20It is not a small area.
03:22It is not a small area.
03:24It is a small area of the area.
03:27It is a small area of the area.
03:30It is not a small area.
03:33Yes, this city.
03:34Do you have any help from there?
03:36No help from there.
03:37No help from there, you would have been a help from a person to help someone.
03:40Every help from there.
03:41There is a lot of people in the city who rarely travel.
03:46Because there is a line from the border,
03:48we think we will go to the city where we are going to the city,
03:51we will think about it.
03:52The people in the village are the maximum passengers.
03:53They are all came from the first time.
03:56Do you like your name again?
03:58My name is Harish Pursad.
04:00Yes, Dhaniwad.
04:02So you saw the first image that's coming in and you've heard a person who was stuck inside this monorail.
04:12It's been raining very heavily in Mumbai and because of this rain, the harbour line was impacted, road transport has been impacted.
04:23Because the metro known as the lifeline, the suburban rail known as the lifeline of Mumbai, that was adversely impacted.
04:30The crowds on the monorail were more than double and many times over the usual strength and perhaps because of some kind of a technical snag.
04:41The monorail got stuck and for hours, you just heard this eyewitness, other eyewitnesses also telling India Today's reporters on ground that people remained stuck inside for several hours and there was lack of oxygen.
04:56They felt very cramped inside, they felt very suffocated inside and there was an effort being made to boost their morale.
05:04By the time the fire brigade was mobilised, by the time the fire brigade could navigate not just the traffic but also the water and reach this place and set up their forklift or their emergency crane to bring down passengers.
05:20It took quite some time and these are the first images that are coming in.
05:27Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fatnaves has just reacted.
05:30Devendra Fatnaves has said in a social media post, due to some technical reason, a monorail is stuck between Chambur and Bhakti Park area.
05:41The MMRDA, the Fire Brigade and the Municipal Corporation, all agencies have reached the spot.
05:49The highest priority is being given to the safety of all passengers.
05:54Therefore, no one should worry or panic.
05:57All passengers will be safely evacuated.
06:02And you're watching those images on your television screen.
06:04Even as we speak, passengers are being evacuated.
06:08The Chief Minister of Maharashtra says, I request everyone to remain patient.
06:13I am in contact with the MMRDA Commissioner, the Municipal Commissioner, the police and all relevant agencies.
06:22An inquiry will also be conducted into why this incident occurred.
06:27So you have the first reaction that's coming in from Ground Zero.
06:32I also want to cut across to Ajay Parchure, my colleague who joins me from Mumbai.
06:37Ajay, this time there is what a reality is?
06:39Did everyone get released the safety of all passengers?
06:41Did everyone get out of the aircraft?
06:42Ajay, this is your perspective.
06:45।
07:15I don't know
07:45Well, actually, I'll have to check out the comments from the audience.
07:50I am going to read all the comments and to read the comments from the audience.
07:55I apologize.
07:59I can see the comments from the audience.
08:04I have to have to ramify the comments.
08:08So, now you're going to need this question.
08:12in this area, after the monorail, they called the emergency help line
08:20and after that, the emergency help line sent the fire brigade here, and the big crane
08:27is seen in the big towers, when the fire looks like people are used to save them.
08:32There are two cranes here, you can see that there is a crane on the other side,
08:38and the other one who most people are out of time, there is an actual crane and the other one
08:44from the other side, and the third crane, the third crane is slightly higher,
08:48and there are those who are outside the line, you can see this camera on camera,
08:52you can see that the people are in the very first phase, and the other people are out of time,
08:57more than 20-25 people are here right now, but you can see that within the monorail,
09:04At least 100-120 people have fallen, they are trying to get out of the way everyone is trying to get out of the way.
09:34One crane is able to bring down between 8 to 10 passengers, so it will take quite some time.
09:40There are three cranes, there are two monorailes at this time.
09:44Ajay, are you able to tell them how quickly everyone will get out of the way?
09:50Is there a doctor or ambulance here?
09:52Is there any need for the doctor or ambulance?
10:04What are you doing?
10:15As you can see in these images, fire brigade personnel have now entered the monorail and they are helping passengers come out.
10:23They are rescuing passengers from one end.
10:26There are two monorails, there are two of these monorails that are stuck pretty close to each other is what we hear.
10:33And these Bronto skylifts are being used to bring those passengers down from the Mumbai monorail.
10:43I also want to cut across to India today's Divesh Singh who joins me for more on this.
10:48Divesh, what can you tell us about relief and rescue operations?
10:52I believe some ambulances have also been rushed to this area.
10:56What we hear from the monorail station is that some ambulances have been kept ready at the spot where the Masur following monorail station.
11:08There, this first monorail race, monorail train was stuck. After this, another monorail train was stuck at the same location.
11:17And now, fire brigade officials along with local administration have reached the place.
11:24They are trying to rescue all the passengers who were stuck inside the monorail train.
11:30So, after eight hours of being affected, of the railway line being affected, now the monorail line is also being affected.
11:40And there is a serious power surge due to a power issue.
11:46This monorail train lost power due to which it got stranded at the Mysore colony railway station.
11:55And now, rescue efforts have begun by the fire brigade officials.
12:00They have brought skylifts and other required assistance as well to bring these passengers down.
12:07They are getting another eyewitness account.
12:29So very grateful to the fire brigade authorities for reaching as quickly as possible and for rescuing us.
12:48And we had absolutely no idea what needs to be done in an emergency.
12:53Is what the eyewitness or one of the passengers on board that monorail said.
12:57But as you can see in these images there are several women inside.
13:02And the women as one of the eyewitnesses said were feeling very suffocated.
13:07There were some children I believe according to initial reports.
13:11Of course some were very calm on their mobile phones.
13:14Reached out to authorities.
13:16Hoped that the authorities would quickly be able to send these Bronto skylifts to rescue people.
13:23That rescue operation is currently still on.
13:26And safety of passengers utmost priority is what the Chief Minister of Maharashtra has just said.
13:31And Divesh is getting us details of this rescue operation.
13:34Divesh will additional resources have to be rushed in to ensure that all are rescued as quickly as possible.
13:42Well the local police station has been alerted and local police have already reached the spot.
13:49Fire brigade officials are already there on the spot.
13:52And DMC officials have been rushed to the spot.
13:56Monorail administration is already there.
13:59And there is additional team of officers from the state government who are rushing to the spot.
14:05That's what we learn as often.
14:06Catch your breath.
14:10We will play out some of these eyewitness accounts that are also coming in.
14:15Now was this contingency kept in mind?
14:19How would people be rescued?
14:20Because those who were on board said for two hours.
14:23So 6 o'clock is where power outage was reported.
14:27Finally around 8 is when the skylifts started rescuing people.
14:32For two hours people remained stranded inside.
14:35And there are two monorails pretty close to each other that have been stuck.
14:39So Divesh, were these contingencies kept in mind earlier?
14:45Did the administration know what needs to be done?
14:47Because eyewitnesses say or those passengers inside say they had absolutely no idea what is to be done.
14:53How will they be rescued?
14:54And fortunately there wasn't a fire.
14:56In the case of fire they wouldn't know how they would be rescued.
15:01Well this is an alarming situation Gaurav as you pointed out.
15:04Was there a contingency plan?
15:06So frankly speaking I think there was no contingency plan.
15:09Because this is not the first time that the monorail has failed.
15:12I remember around 8 or 9 minutes back a similar condition happened at Hakchi Park.
15:18And that time also on that occasion as well fire brigade was brought in.
15:24They had used claim to bring out the passengers who were stuck inside the monorail bridge.
15:30So as of now what kind of contingency plan does the monorail administration have?
15:37They will have to answer this.
15:38But this is alarming situation and situation which the passengers had to go to.
15:46They had to suffer for around 2 hours.
15:48More passengers, more passengers and some reactions from the administration.
15:51Let's listen in.
15:52Thank you very much.
16:22I am a child, I am a lady, I am a man who has been in a hospital.
16:31How long have you been in hospital for a while?
16:36I am a man who has been in hospital.
16:44You should have been in hospital.
16:46So passengers say they contacted the Brehan Mumbai Municipal Corporation or the BMC's helpline number for emergency assistance and the fire brigade, the initial fire brigade came to the scene quickly, it took some time for this Bronto lift or the sky lift to reach there, the sky lift then initiated the rescue operations, this is, we are now being told,
17:15Divesh, I believe it's a 20 kilometer route from Chembur to the Sant Gaadge Maharaj Chowk where this monorail has been in operation since 2014, explain the importance of monorail to assist Mumbai's, you know, it's a city that's always on the move and the moment it starts raining and the suburban train gets impacted, that's where this monorail plays a very critical role, Divesh.
17:44Well, Gaurav, today the railway line being stuck, so the railway lines were not working, remember, since 12pm and in harbour line, which is towards Chembur and Vadala and that route, which is called the harbour line, the railway line was not functioning since around 10.30am and post that 12 noon, since 12 noon it was not working on the central line as well.
18:10So, in that scenario, monorail which runs above, like, it runs on a bridge, on an elevated bridge like a line, which is like a metro, on an elevated bridge, this monorail runs, and that is why people try using the monorail rigs, usually monorail rigs are not crowded, there is not much crowd, there is not too many commuters who use monorail for commuting,
18:40but the route, the route that the monorail runs on, it is not a crowded route as such, it is not a route where you see huge crowd.
18:47Stay with me, stay with me, eyewitnesses on the rescue operations, listen in.
18:52Listen in.
18:53मंबई की स्पिरिट है, तो कोई दिक्कत नहीं है उसके अंदरे.
18:54ऑनना पड़ेगा हूश कि पूरे पूरे एंब्लेंस, सारे आये help करने के लिए,
18:59भी डेफिनेटलीए डेफिनिटलीएट्लीएटी रेंड़ी रही हैं कि अगर help चाहिए तो भी और याप it out.
19:05it out.
19:06Every time we were communicating with this to give instructions, we were using it.
19:12There were two ladies who were suffocated, but the rest of them had a lot of milk.
19:18Disaster management should be better.
19:19How did you cooperate with this?
19:21I didn't know it was inside.
19:22I contacted her and told her that there was one inside.
19:26We were giving instructions.
19:31So, a doctor who was waiting for one of her relatives was in touch.
19:41I want to quickly cut across to Shaina NC joining us on the broadcast.
19:46Shaina, what can you tell us about the latest situation when it comes to rescue operations
19:53and does this in a way, you know, point to how emergency services need to be better geared
20:00up to be able to provide resources?
20:04Right now, I think first let's understand what has happened.
20:08The monorail train came to a halt between Mysore Colony and Hatsby Park.
20:13Both are stations in Mumbai and because of the downpour that we have seen and the incessant
20:20rain, you know, there have been certain issues vis-a-vis rescue operations using cranes.
20:28And I think that if there is a power supply issue, obviously there is going to be a situation.
20:38And it's most, most unfortunate.
20:41The Mumbai fire brigade have been deployed to the spot and the passengers will be rescued
20:46by cutting the window glass as has been explained by the authorities.
20:52But I think what we need to understand also is that Mumbai has battered by the rains for
20:58the past two days throwing normal life out of gear.
21:02And whether it's the CM or our deputy CM Eknarji Shinde, all have said that, you know,
21:11this technical reason on the monorail between Shemboor and Hatsby Park, the MMRDA, the fire
21:16brigade, the municipal corporation, all agencies have reached the spot.
21:20And it is an issue of highest priority to ensure safety of the passengers.
21:24So I think right now the only, only issue is the safety of the passengers and the MMRDA commissioner,
21:32the municipal commissioner, the police and the relevant agencies are following up completely.
21:37But do understand that Mumbai has seen over 300...
21:40Do you have any information about how many people may still be trapped inside?
21:43And how soon are these operations likely to be concluded and hopefully safely with all passengers out safely?
21:52I have no such knowledge.
21:54But having said that, this is a freak accident and I hope that in the future too,
22:00we will be able to ensure that passenger safety is paramount because that's what our government stands for.
22:08Overall, can you give us an overview of the kind of contingencies your government has wargamed so far
22:15to deal with such a situation, this particular situation in general and these massive rains in general?
22:27All I'd like to say is that, you know, when you have incessant rain,
22:32incessant rain, which affects a minor power supply,
22:37you have three snorkel vehicles of the Mumbai Fire Brigade that have been deployed to this spot
22:44and the passengers are being rescued as we speak.
22:48And I think that what is imperative to understand is that all agencies,
22:53whether it is the MMRDA, the fire brigade, the municipal corporations, the police, everyone's on the spot,
22:59and all our three leaders, Devendra Farnivis, my own leader, Iknarji Shinde,
23:05and Ajit Pawar are all hands-on monitoring the situation minute by minute.
23:11Shaina, NC of the Shiv Sena for joining me here on India Today, many thanks.
23:16I now want to cut across to my colleague on Ground Zero, Ajay Parchure, who joins us from this Bhakti Park area,
23:23where this incident has taken place. Ajay,
23:26now, fire brigade,
23:33foreign
24:03foreign
24:15foreign
24:21foreign
24:27foreign
24:31foreign
25:01foreign
25:13foreign
25:19foreign
25:25foreign
25:29foreign
25:35foreign
25:43foreign
25:57Thank you very much.
26:27Thank you very much.
26:57Thank you very much.
27:27My colleague Ajay Parashur is giving details that it will take another hour, hour and a half because it's a very slow process as you can see to bring people down.
27:39They're not used to climbing down from these skylifts.
27:42Once again, more eyewitness accounts, more those of those who are trapped inside listening.
28:20So, the eyewitnesses saying they had absolutely no idea.
28:23Those of course who are onboard, some of the youngsters had absolutely no idea what is to be done.
28:29But if you look at these images right now, the information is that there are three skylifts that are already there or these cranes.
28:38Three cranes are attempting to bring people down.
28:42Some of the eyewitnesses have said that there could still be between 300 to 400 passengers inside the monorail.
28:51What efforts are being undertaken? Listen in.
29:12There are more than 60-65% of people. There will be a little bit.
29:19With limits.
29:30Let me quickly bring in Ajay Parchure for the latest in these rescue operations.
29:35There are also ambulances and fire brigades.
29:38Which people are going to get here.
29:40Will they go to their home?
29:42Or will they not be able to get there?
29:45Is there a fire brigade now?
29:52I want to show you that the people are going to get here.
29:56I've been talking about some people.
29:58I've been talking about some people.
30:00I've been talking about some people.
30:02They will get here 쿠 including doctor team.
30:05petite tim ambulance.
30:08And here they go to the best buses.
30:13Those at all.
30:15They know some interrogation as no station to ido.
30:18These were not something.
30:19And they know the guardian.
30:20They just want to attack these delleorn.
30:22How these guards what theyución scale is.
30:24They called the arrest.
30:26So, there is a print.
30:28But here are the trouble here is where the truth is
30:30that the truth is, in the middle,
30:32which was on the way which was left behind before.
30:34When the truth came in,
30:37there are three cranes.
30:39It doesn't make it one time
30:41to eight people that were left behind there.
30:44We've told that the truth is that
30:48that there are only 300 people who have left behind behind.
30:51Even it'll be 40-50 people who move Zeitgeist.
30:556.00am, this train was closed, there was a technical fault,
31:00and the electricity was closed, and the electricity was closed,
31:05after this train, the train is a monorail station,
31:10and the train is a monorail station,
31:14and the train is a monorail station.
31:18And after that, some of the people,
31:21BMC's help line number,
31:24or the police's help line number,
31:27or the police's help line number,
31:29they tried to try to call phone,
31:31and then the fire brigade called fire brigade.
31:34This train is in Mumbai,
31:37or in the big cities,
31:38when the train is in the big towers,
31:41they can go out and go out and go out.
31:46These three big,
31:47the Brantos Skylift F-27,
31:49the train is in the same way,
31:52from here, 7-8 people came out,
31:56and you will see,
31:57and when you look at these images,
32:03it's pitch dark,
32:05there are still passengers,
32:07and a very large number of passengers,
32:09according to some of the eyewitnesses,
32:11and those who were inside,
32:13at least 300 to 400 passengers are still inside this monorail.
32:19And if you look at these,
32:20these are live images that we are getting to you,
32:23very, very patiently,
32:25they are waiting for the Skylift to come once again,
32:28for the crane to come once again,
32:30and rescue them.
32:32And this shows the resilience of the Mumbaikers,
32:36as they wait very patiently.
32:39They're not rushing to get to that Skylift.
32:42They've ensured,
32:43and especially these people that you see in these images,
32:47they are waiting.
32:49As soon as that F-27 RLH Brantos Skylift reaches them,
32:55between 5 and 7 people are able to board it,
32:59and then climb down.
33:02So it's not as if that Skylift comes down each time,
33:05people who are able to climb down,
33:08the able-bodied are climbing down,
33:11it's only if someone's unable to come down,
33:13does that Skylift come down,
33:15bringing those people to safety,
33:18and then goes up and rescues.
33:19And this is likely to be a long haul,
33:22considering the large number of people who are still trapped inside.
33:27And it must be a very tough experience for them.
33:31My colleague Divesh is standing by reporting this story.
33:36Ajay Parchure is reporting this story.
33:39And those who came down did speak of,
33:42one, feeling suffocated inside.
33:44Two, no oxygen, no air conditioning,
33:47because of no electricity.
33:48And three, there were no instructions,
33:51what is to be done in an emergency,
33:54in such a situation.
33:56Monorail, right now especially,
33:59because the suburban railway, the Mumbai lifeline,
34:03the trains of Mumbai, and especially the harbour line,
34:07is adversely impacted because of the rain since 12 noon.
34:11The trains are not being able to operate,
34:15especially on the harbour line.
34:16That's why this extra pressure on the monorail,
34:21and the electricity situation,
34:23it just, it's stuck.
34:24And we're told two monorails are stuck very close to each other,
34:29and the effort is on to rescue people as quickly as possible.
34:33These are live images that we are getting to you,
34:37of the rescue and relief operations.
34:40If you hear in Marathi, the Brehan Mumbai Municipal Corporation,
34:45and the police repeatedly asking people to remain calm,
34:51they will reach every individual,
34:54and bring them down to safety.
34:57Do not panic.
34:58Those who are brought down are being asked,
35:01do you need medical attention?
35:03There are some ambulances that are on standby,
35:06additional ambulances are being sent there,
35:09should people require any assistance.
35:12More buses have also been sent there right now,
35:15is the information that's coming in.
35:17And watch how difficult this entire operation is.
35:21So you have the fire brigade personnel,
35:23who virtually try and form a kind of a safety wall,
35:29so that the passengers can exit the monorail safely,
35:33get onto that platform, as you see this young lady,
35:36trying to now come down.
35:38And naturally, if you're scared of heights,
35:41it is a scary situation.
35:54Now, I want to shift focus to our top story,
35:56and images are coming in from the national capital,
35:59this time of the Chinese Foreign Minister,
36:01and member of the Politburo Wang Yi,
36:03who called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
36:05The Prime Minister emphasized on the importance
36:08of peace and tranquility at the borders,
36:11for bilateral relations between India and China to move forward.
36:16Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the steady
36:19and positive progress in bilateral ties between India and China,
36:24and especially since his meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping,
36:29in Kazan on the sidelines of BRICS 2024 in Russia.
36:35Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted President Xi Jinping's invitation to attend
36:42the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's Leaders Summit in Tianjin in China.
36:48But the Prime Minister underlined that stable, predictable, and constructive bilateral ties are essential,
36:56and will contribute significantly to regional and global peace and prosperity.
37:03I want to quickly bring in India Today's Foreign Affairs Editor Geeta Mohan for more on this big story.
37:09Geeta, do we look at this as a step forward since the Kazan initiative,
37:16or do we look at it as a reset in India-China ties?
37:20Well, I'd stay away from words like a reset at this point in time,
37:27maybe an incremental way forward, because if you see, after every SR-level talks,
37:32and which is a very critical talk, you and I know, Gaurav, we've been covering this,
37:36this is the 24th round of talks on the boundary question.
37:40So it covers a huge ambit of the boundary question between India and China,
37:45not just the border disputes that are current.
37:47But the current border dispute is foremost and primary in terms of solving it and moving forward.
37:54It cannot be business as usual, like Dr. Jaishankar has said.
37:57And therefore, when you see the statement, the fact that there is a repetition on the Indian side
38:02and the Chinese side on the need to move forward, the need to de-escalate,
38:07but no particular announcement on whether if there is going to be specific de-escalation,
38:13goes to show that it's only an incremental way forward, because leadership meetings have begun,
38:18leadership meetings will happen, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he is going to,
38:23in this statement, has said he's going to meet with President Xi Jinping in Tianjin.
38:28So critical, very important meetings, very important visits taking place,
38:33but beyond that, one has to look at it from the prism of what is happening with India and China,
38:39vis-a-vis the United States of America. The reason why there is a need for these countries to show
38:44that they can engage and engage constructively. Does that amount to something beyond what we're seeing
38:53at the border and just a call for peace and tranquility? For now, it's just that. The fact that
38:57peace is holding is important, but de-escalation necessary. Oh, absolutely. And given the fact that
39:05China was assisting Pakistan during Operation Sindhur, I mean, that's another major reason for India to be
39:11where. Geeta, stay with me as we get our viewers more detailed. So, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
39:17will be travelling to China for the Shanghai 2 Operation Organization's Leaders Summit at Tianjin.
39:24And this was confirmed earlier today by India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during the 24th round
39:31of the SR level or the Special Representatives conversation on the border talks. The NSA also
39:38confirmed that India-China border has been quiet and there has been an upward trend in bilateral ties.
39:45Wangi said the Chinese side attaches great importance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China.
39:52Beijing will also resume supplies of fertilizers, rare earth minerals and tunnel boring machines to India.
39:59Halted for nearly a year is the information that is also filtering out. But is this relationship
40:05moving in the right direction or is that just a tactical move forward right now or a strategic reset?
40:14We'll debate that. But Geeta Mohan and Pranayopadhyay bring you our story.
40:21Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the two Asian giants attempt to reset ties.
40:32Wangi also met NSA Ajit Doval. In the talks, Doval highlighted the new momentum in India-China ties and the importance of peace along the border.
40:41I am very happy that since then, in the last nine months, there has been an upward trend.
40:52Borders have been quiet. There have been peace and tranquility. Our bilateral engagements have been more substantial.
41:00The Chinese Foreign Minister in turn acknowledged that past setbacks have not served the interest of
41:06either country and reiterated Beijing's commitment to restoring stability on the border.
41:11We maintained peace and tranquility in the border areas. We showed them up confidence to
41:17dispel interference, expand cooperation and to further consolidate the momentum of improvement and
41:24development of China-India relations so that while pursuing our respective rejuvenation,
41:30we can contribute to each other's success. The Chinese Foreign Minister also emphasized that
41:36bilateral engagements will be taken forward during Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit to China for
41:42SCO Summit. The Chinese side attaches great importance to the Prime Minister's visit to China to attend the
41:50SCO Summit at our invitation. We believe that the Indian side will also make your contribution to a
41:57successful summit in Tianjin. Welcome you and your delegation to India. This after Wang Yi held
42:03talks with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar. The Minister underscored that peace at the border is
42:10fundamental to improving relations. Having seen a difficult period in our relationship, Excellency,
42:17our two nations now seek to move ahead. This requires a candid and constructive approach from both sides.
42:24In a significant assurance, Wang Yi promised to address three of India's pressing needs,
42:32resuming supplies of fertilizers, rare earth's minerals and tunnel boring machines.
42:38The high-stakes visit is being closely watched, not just for what it means for the frozen India-China
42:44ties, but also for the signals it sends to the world at a time of shifting geopolitical alignments.
42:51So a tactical step forward or a strategic reset. Joining me on this India first special broadcast is
43:01Ambassador Mohan Kumar, Professor of Diplomatic Practice at the Jindal School of International Affairs and
43:07former Ambassador to France. Professor Shrekant Kondapalli is Professor of Chinese Studies at the
43:12prestigious Jawa Harlal Nehru University. Feng Yailai is a correspondent of China Global Television Network,
43:18joins me on the show and in a moment we'll also be joined by Professor Jacob. He joins us, Associate Professor
43:25of International Relations and Governance at the Shiv Nadar University. Let me begin by asking our Chinese
43:31guest Feng Yailai, how is Beijing, Ms. Yailai reacting to the Politburo member and Chinese Foreign Minister
43:41Wang Yi's visit to India, his extending an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the interactions
43:46he's had so far with the NSA and the External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar.
43:53Okay, so China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on his visit to India which is his first things 2022 and
43:59today the 24th round of talks between the special representatives of China and India on the
44:05boundary question marks an important milestone in Sino-Indian relations and the talks were
44:12comprehensive, in-depth and productive according to Chinese Foreign Ministry and the event focused on
44:21both the boundary issue and broader bilateral relations as reported. So Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that
44:28the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi during their meeting in
44:34Kazan has provided clear direction and momentum for improving the bilateral relations and properly
44:43handling the boundary issue and this year has seen steady progress in bilateral relations and
44:49sustained stability along the border as the two neighbouring countries and major developing nations China
44:54and India share extensive common interests and should trust and support each other and this is a proper way
45:01for two emerging powers to interact and Wang Yi also highlighted the significance of Prime Minister Modi's
45:07upcoming visit to China for the SCO Tianjin Summit and China highly values he said the visit and expects India
45:15to contribute positively to the success of the summit and National Security Advisor Doval also echoed these sentiments
45:23he described the Kazan meeting as a turning point in Sino-India relations noting that it has led to
45:30positive changes to positive changes in neutral perceptions and maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas and
45:36given the current volatile international situation both countries face common challenges and need to enhance
45:44understanding, deepen trust and strengthen cooperation and this is vital for the welfare of the two countries peoples and the vote peace as well as development
45:54and also India he says is willing to maintain communication with China to create favourable conditions for the final resolution of the boundary issue and both sides exchanged views also on early harvest and boundary negotiations and reiterated their commitment to fully utilise this special representative mechanism and it was agreed by both sides that the 25th round of special representative talks will be held in the
46:24in China in China next year so in summary this meeting is of great significance as it further
46:30promotes communication and understanding between the two sides on bilateral relations and
46:36yes yes let me let me bring in ambassador Mohan Kumar ambassador would you look at it as a as a tactical move forward giving the trump tariff tyranny or a reset as some would want us to believe
46:52thank you thank you very much for having me I certainly hope it is not a tactical thing at least from India's perspective because that is precisely the wrong thing to do in my view just because we have a few headwinds in our relationship with the United States I don't think we should be doing things with China on that basis I believe the India
47:16China China relationship stands on its own merit it is a neighbour it is a strategic partnership and I think for me it is better not to view the relationship in terms of a zero sum game where we have some trouble with the United States and therefore you
47:35if so factor come to come to the conclusion that you need to improve your ties with China my yardstick for improvement Gaurav would be that we need two things which we need to convey to the Chinese I think I agree with the Chinese correspondent that communication is good understanding is good
47:54but two things but two things have to happen one yes there is temporary peace at the border but permanent peace eludes us because 50 to 60,000 troops are in eyeball to eyeball confrontation so de-escalation has to happen on a priority basis
48:13second we need to convince China that a multi-polar Asia is something that they will buy into because that has implications for India's foreign policy in South Asia so all in all I would agree with the external affairs minister who believes this relationship should be based on three mutuals that is sensitivity respect and interest and that we should really be trying to ensure
48:42that competition does not become conflict and differences don't become disputes so all in all I believe this is a step in the right direction
48:52it's a step in the right direction you say Professor Kondapalli Wang Yi said that the setbacks India and China experienced a few in the past few years were not in the interest of the people of the two countries
49:05now are these just words or has China also realized that tension at the borders has not helped either China or India but you know as Ambassador Mohan Kumar points out there are steps that China must take and specially the 50,000 soldiers on both sides do they need to de-escalate for us to know that it's not just words there is action on the Chinese side not just disengagement
49:35we don't know what the Chinese are going to do next but we need to watch those steps I think as Ambassador Mohan Kumar mentioned the we have had disengagement and patrolling and grazing by October 2024 but we have not had so far de-escalation and de-induction of troops on the border
50:03this is a major concern of course there is peace and tranquility but peace and tranquility in the background of deployment of troops but most important very offensive equipment military equipment like tanks light tanks the multiple rocket launchers drones and other things so we need to actually see what what will be the progress in this direction
50:31in this direction remember Dr Jai Shankar mentioned on June 17 2020 that unless until peace and tranquility prevails on the border there is no bilateral relation between the two sides so we need to see on this the reason why I'm suggesting is so far there is no discussion on the resumption of the 30 different types of dialogues between the two sides including media to media exchanges think tank to think tank the
51:00the strategic dialogue between the strategic dialogue between the strategic dialogue between the foreign ministries the annual defense dialogue between the defense ministries the youth exchanges the you know so many 30 of these dialogues are there there is no discussion so far on these
51:15and India steps India steps India steps throughout Professor Jacob you know we covered the Chinese president coming to Gujarat in 2014 we covered what happened at Wuhan and then Mahabalipuram and then we covered Galwan and I was also covering Kazan in 2024 my question is when we've seen so many ups and downs in this relationship India has always tried to improve relations with China it's China you know that's the
51:45that we need to know whether we can trust that we need to know whether we can trust you know how do you look at these developments especially in the light of what happened with Chinese assistance to Pakistan during Operation Sindhuur
51:52or what happened with Chinese assistance to Pakistan during Operation Sindhuur
51:55So I think you know as everyone has mentioned there is better communication now and I think both sides understand each other but communication and understanding does not necessarily mean that there is agreement on how the relationship needs to go forward.
52:14As Professor Contopoli mentioned a whole series of previous engagements are not yet back on track and the reason that they are not back on track is precisely because there is still a great degree of distrust that exists in the relationship so you know I don't see that I mean frankly given that the two sides are talking to each other and the MEA statement says that they did discuss terrorism they did discuss
52:43the river water the dam issue and so on so clearly communication is happening but that is not quite enough we have quite a distance to go before both sides begin to get to the next level.
52:55And you mentioned Operation Sindhu I mean you know Foreign Minister Wang is actually travelling from Delhi to Kabul for a tripartite with the Pakistani and Afghan foreign minister and then he's headed to Islamabad.
53:09So I think in that sense that tells you that gives you an idea of where China sees India in this and frankly we cannot have a relationship where China doesn't understand the importance of India.
53:23I mean these words are all variable but these words need to be matched by actions as well.
53:27I will let that be the last word on this part of the show I'm so sorry we couldn't have a longer discussion given that emergency in Mumbai but over the next several days I hope to have all of you back on India first to talk more about India China relations and how it's being taken forward.
53:46I want to thank our guests from China and all of our professors and ambassadors joining me on this show.
53:53It's not just sweet words it's action that follows especially at the line of actual control and whether there is a change if at all in the overall India China relations and China's attitude towards Pakistan.
54:09Pakistan their all weather friend many many aspects that we'll be tracking over the next several days and weeks.
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